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Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Car Legend, Galpin Put Pedal Down for CHP Charity

This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies. Galpin Motors’s Beau Boeckmann and racing legend Carroll Shelby worked with non-profit group CHP 11-99 to make a 2011 GT Shelby GT350 Mustang available as a fundraiser prize. The dealership and the racing celebrity helped the group obtain the 525-horsepower Mustang for a tremendous discount for a statewide drawing that benefitted families of fallen California Highway Patrol officers. On Feb. 24, Shelby showed up at Galpin Motors’ Ford dealership in North Hills to help Galpin Motors Vice President Beau Boeckmann present the keys of the car to the organization, which will present the prize to the winner in Northern California. The drawing, which was held in October, brought in about $230,000, said Mike Elder, Northern California coordinator for CHP 11-99. Shelby’s arrival was a surprise for Galpin Motors officials, who were not expecting him to make a personal appearance. Hospital Donates Equipment West Hills Hospital & Medical Center recently received notification that medical equipment they donated to health care professionals in Nigeria arrived safely. The hospital donated and shipped 342 pieces of equipment to Nigeria in August. The equipment was given to 29 communities in the country that have difficulty accessing health care. “When we opened our new emergency room and (intensive care unit), we equipped it with all new equipment, so we had a lot of equipment that was still very usable – monitors, gurneys, beds and all sorts of equipment,” said Beverly Gilmore, president and CEO of West Hills Hospital & Medical Center. “I think it’s great to let people know that sort of thing exists, that we can actually give those things to a country that really is in dire need of medical equipment.” The donation was made by working with the organizations Forum for Total Medical Care and Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. West Hills Hospital received letters of appreciation from doctors and pastors in Nigeria. Dr. Ephraim Okechukwu Iroha, coordinator of Forum for Total Medical Care in Abia State, Nigeria, wrote to the hospital: “The equipment and other medical materials donated by your hospital would go a long way in setting up a standard hospital and thereby alleviate the frustrations being experienced by our people in their quest for medical care.” Verzion Donates to University Verizon awarded California State University, Channel Islands a $100,000 grant to establish a telecommunications and conservation lab and to benefit the university in additional areas. The Verizon Telecommunications & Conservation Lab will serve as a green operations model to aid small businesses in implementing eco-friendly practices. The grant will also be used toward scholarships for underserved students pursing business and social science degrees and for programs of the “Hank” Lacayo Institute for Workforce & Community Studies. The programs will allow students to provide consulting services to small businesses throughout the region. “Verizon’s intent is to challenge students to find new ways to foster economic growth and instill a sense of environmental stewardship throughout the region,” said Tim McCallion, president of the West Region for Verizon. CSUCI President Richard R. Rush said the grant will be a major benefit to the local business community and students. Studio Gives Prizes Warner Bros. Pictures and its online store WBshop.com partnered with the American Red Cross to host blood drive centers in 11 U.S. cities in order to kick off “Red Cross Month.” The Burbank-based studios also helped host the blood drive to mark the March 11 theatrical release of “Red Riding Hood.” Participating markets included Los Angeles, Dallas, Oakland, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Tucson, Nashville, and Memphis. Every person stopping by the event was given a “Red Riding Hood” movie poster, and everyone who donated blood was entered into a raffle for a $50 WBshop prize package, tickets to a local preview screening “Red Riding Hood,” movie T-shirts and movie-themed items. – Compiled by Jessica Vernabe

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